Technical changing h/light bulbs on 500

[Franda]

I suggest you tell me exactly which section of the DVD I should look in then, as I have gone through the whole thing.... But only if you want to be helpful rather than patronising!
Have you got a paper manual or a DVD btw?

 

[306maxi]

I suggest you tell me exactly which section of the DVD I should look in then,

Or what?

My point is this, the information will be in your manual. If it's not in the manual then how hard is it to just fine out which bulb is the highbeam and change it?

On Friday night I took the dashboard of our Subaru apart, did I have a manual to tell me what to do? When I couldn't get part of the dash out did I post on a forum? No, I had a look at things, had a good think and realised that i could just move the steering wheel down and easily get the instrument panel out.

Far more satisfying than posting on a forum and waiting 30 minutes or a day to be spoonfed the information.

 

[Franda]

Well I could reply " or what? " to your " I suggest you take a look again" .

Thank you so much for your enlightening suggestion that I just pull a few things apart on a brand new car when all I wanted was some advice on changing the headlight bulbs. My point was I can't even see how to get the bulb out, I do know which one I want to change, but can't see a clip like on the dipped beams to enable me to get them out...

Any way, remind me not to post again if I have any questions, but forgive me if I thought a forum was meant to be about help and advice, not just putting someone down who has never done any sort of mechanical work on a car.
I happen to be highly trained in my own field of work, but having recently separated after 22 years I am trying to do other things that my ex used to take care of instead of asking friends to help.

Your input has been condescending, patronising and certainly not in the spirit of a helpful forum.

 

[grimwau]

Hi Franda, as you have discovered, it is not so easy to replace the main beams due to the lack of space under the wheelarch. Personally, I always jack up the car and remove the wheels when fitting new main beam or DRL bulbs.

As you don't have the proper manual (booklet) I am listing the link to the one on our forum. It is located in the download section under the shortcut tab at the top of the main 500 section page plus the relevant page. Hope it helps.

https://www.fiatforum.com/downloads.php?do=cat&id=12

Good luck.

 

[306maxi]

Sorry to hear about the separation. I know I may sound condescending and all, what I'm trying to do is give you the confidence to realise that you can pretty much change the bulbs on any car (other than a Megane) if you just have a look at things

 

[Franda]

Thanks Tony, have been struggling to see the rubber cap.
Don't think I'll be going the route of jacking it up and removing the wheels though!
Franda

 

[grimwau]

Once you remove the plastic guard to access the rear of the light there should be a large round (3"-4" diameter) rubber cover to remove to get to the bulbs.

It just pulls off.

I'll see if I can get a photo to post to give you a better idea of what you should be seeing.

 

[grimwau]

Raining and dark but these might help.



When viewing through hatch you can see the cover in the top left hand corner.



You pull on the tab at the top to remove and remember to replace in the same position.



A close up shot of the cover. When looking at yours the view will be slightly different because of the self levelling motors unless you also have HIDs.

ps. MEP, I hope you noticed that I didn't call them Xenons.

 

[Franda]

Thanks, I can see it now, the problem is it's surrounded by other things I'm a bit nervous of disrupting. Will have a go another day now, it's not urgent as I'm just doing a replacement with the night breakers, but it's a good thing to learn to do for when a bulb blows. Last year had two dip bulbs go within half hour of each other on a trip back from Bangor, and had no choice but to replace them on the side of the road!

Thanks for the pics, and yes it is dark and horrid here, hate the clock shenanigans.

 

[306maxi]

Thanks Tony, have been struggling to see the rubber cap.
Don't think I'll be going the route of jacking it up and removing the wheels though!
Franda

My tip would be to be to turn the wheel so the front of the wheel is facing inwards. Gives far better access.

 

[jrkitching]

Thanks for the pics, and yes it is dark and horrid here, hate the clock shenanigans.

Although best access is obtained by removing the wheel, you can still make the job a bit easier without doing this if you turn the steering to full lock to get the wheel as far out of the way as you can.

 

[306maxi]

Although best access is obtained by removing the wheel, you can still make the job a bit easier without doing this if you turn the steering to full lock to get the wheel as far out of the way as you can.

Beat you!

 

[Franda]

I picked that up from reading all the previous posts, but thanks guys.

 

[grimwau]

My tip would be to be to turn the wheel so the front of the wheel is facing inwards. Gives far better access.

Although best access is obtained by removing the wheel, you can still make the job a bit easier without doing this if you turn the steering to full lock to get the wheel as far out of the way as you can.

Beat you!

See, everyone trying to help.

Just as an aside, the other day because of a problem with the server or something, Ben was replying to posts ten minutes before they were posted,........ Spooky.

 

[TrevC]

That item comparing a bulb change on a Golf with a Megane had a touch of irony - a couple of years ago there was a flurry of correspondence in one of the car mags because VW dealers were charging up to £150 to change a parking light bulb on an HID equipped Golf! Not had to change a bulb on my 500 yet, but it looks easier than on many cars. What I find annoying is that in some countries you are legally required to carry a spare set of bulbs, but manufacturers are not required to make it possible for an owner to do a roadside replacement.

 

[306maxi]

That item comparing a bulb change on a Golf with a Megane had a touch of irony - a couple of years ago there was a flurry of correspondence in one of the car mags because VW dealers were charging up to £150 to change a parking light bulb on an HID equipped Golf! Not had to change a bulb on my 500 yet, but it looks easier than on many cars. What I find annoying is that in some countries you are legally required to carry a spare set of bulbs, but manufacturers are not required to make it possible for an owner to do a roadside replacement.

HID bulbs are expensive, hence why it would cost more. That said they do last a lot longer than normal bulbs IIRC

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

HID bulbs are expensive, hence why it would cost more. That said they do last a lot longer than normal bulbs IIRC

Parking light bulb that's costs 15p, not the HID burner

 

[TrevC]

Yes, the bulb was something like 15p, but apparently on an HID equipped Golf (Mk4 I think) it's a bumper-off job to get to it!

 

[EsseEsse]

Workshop manual procedure for Alfa GT is the same, bumper off for sidelight! Its nothing that can't be done in 3 hours with the help of a dictionary of expletive's and removing all skin from the knuckles though

 

[mrbytez]

Just managed to change my DRL to the PIAA Mirror White as well... Hell of a job man! Got my hands all black and grimy and sooty, exerted a lot of force or should I say wasted a bit of strength haha... Accidentally disconnected the connector for power for the DRL bulb.. But finally!!! Managed to get it done, the satisfaction is awesome! :slayer:

Will try to post pics later after I clean up the car nicely...

Front headlight changed to the Phillips Extreme Vision... (3rd set of replacement bulbs already somehow... 1st set was also the Phillips EV, after that tried the Ring brand +120%, and then now back to Phillips EV. Cos somehow there's always one bulb that manages to have the filament broken first...)